With Mother's Day this weekend, I have been thinking about a couple of close friends with very different family situations than mine. One friend has not received the love and acceptance she deserves from her mother and the other one did not receive it. In the insightful book The Gift of the Blessing by Gary Smalley and John Trent, Ph.D., the authors discuss parental love and acceptance (and the lack thereof), which they refer to as "the blessing." In the Old Testament, parents bestowing the blessing on their children was an extremely important event. The authors contend the relationship elements of the blessing remain relevant to the present time. The Gift of the Blessing lists helpful steps to aid those in need of healing who have not received the blessing and details how we can provide the blessing to our families and others.
One friend of mine "Amanda" left a job so she could be the main care giver for her mother who was dying of cancer. To the end, her mother remained unkind to her. The mother's attitude toward Amanda even negatively influenced her father, two brothers, and two sisters and still persists to this day, many years after her mother's death. A sentence from The Gift of the Blessing reads: "Yet effort doesn't always equal a desired response." In any situation, we are only responsible for our efforts, not the end result that we cannot control. According to Hebrews 12:14 we are to make every effort to live in peace with all men. Ephesians 6:13 NIV tells us ". . . and after you have done everything, to stand" [firm in the faith].
Pam King, wife of evangelist Jim King, believes all women are born with a God given "mother instinct." She believes the enemy comes to steal the natural ability to love, nurture, and care for a child from mothers who abuse or abandon their children. John 10:10 NIV says: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy."
Though the experiences of my friends have been extremely hurtful, these mighty women of valor derive their self-worth from the Lord and look to Him for the unwavering, eternal blessing that He provides. Isaiah 49:15-16 NIV states: "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands. . . "
This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays at http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/
